So Solid Crew producer given life term for murder

A member of the controversial award-winning band So Solid Crew has been jailed for life for murdering his former girlfriend's new lover.

Carl Morgan, 24, was told he would serve a minimum of 30 years for shooting dead Colin Scarlett in a "Wild West" stand-off which began with a petty argument. Passing sentence yesterday, the Common Serjeant of London, Judge Brian Barker, said: "Gun use is the scourge of our streets and causes misery and distress. The message must be all one way - that it will not be tolerated."

During an Old Bailey trial in which the band's violent lyrics were played in court and one witness had to give evidence from behind a screen, his voice disguised by a sound modulator, the jury heard that Morgan shot Mr Scarlett outside his south London home on 6 November last year. Both Morgan, and So Solid Crew's leader Megaman, 26, appearing under his real name Dwayne Vincent, denied murdering 24-year-old Mr Scarlett. The jury, which found Morgan guilty by a 10 to one majority last week, failed to reach a verdict on his co-defendant and a retrial was ordered for 20 March next year.

The court heard that Morgan, the So Solid producer who appeared on the video for their number one hit single 21 Seconds, had rowed with the mother of his children, Elisha McFarlane, over who should have the children that day and she called her lover.

When Mr Scarlett turned up with his brother and a friend outside Morgan's home in Battersea, London, a fight broke out.

"There is no doubt that Carl Morgan was the loser," said Richard Horwell, for the prosecution. "To have lost the fight to Colin Scarlett was an act of humiliation. Carl Morgan was left to contemplate his revenge."

The court heard that Morgan drove to the estate in Tooting where Mr Scarlett lived. A violent exchange ensued in which Mr Scarlett was shot in the neck, chest and right hand but managed to fire at least five shots from his own gun before collapsing to the ground. "It was a scene more reminiscent of the Wild West," said Mr Horwell.

Morgan denied seeking out Mr Scarlett for revenge and insisted a third unknown gunman shot him. He told jurors: "I wanted to ask him what was this morning about because I didn't have any problem with him at all. My only concern is the kids."

He said someone suggested he and Mr Scarlett go into a darkened archway to talk alone, continuing: "I didn't want to go in there, I felt a bit vibed. Colin was like, 'Wanna talk? Come, me and you'. Then I heard a shot from behind me, loud. It was loud."

But witnesses, one of whom was too afraid to be identified in court, contradicted his version of events. Witness A said: "I saw Morgan pull out a gun and shoot Colin Scarlett twice.Colin then pulled out a gun and they were both firing."

The jury then heard some of the band's songs, including one with the lyrics: "I burst you until the shells be running out."

Mr Vincent denied any involvement, claiming that he was talking to Mr Scarlett's father when he heard gunshots.

Asked by his counsel, George Carter-Stevenson QC, whether he had said anything to encourage Morgan to do anything, the band leader replied: "Not at all."

He said: "To say I would encourage a friend to shoot someone is ridiculous."